Maximum Security: Pentalock & Leopard Tech

With a staggering three million bikes reported stolen in Europe in the last year, and claims rising by 125% in 2020 alone, it would do no harm to rely on a little extra beyond traditional bike chains. Liberty Sheldon explores the alternatives coming to market pre built into bikes with Pentalock and Leopard Tech…

Greater connectivity solutions that work alongside physical barriers to deter thieves and aid in recovery if a bike is stolen are becoming ever-more present as bike makers play around with integrating new ideas. With electric bikes likely to represent over 50% of models sold in some European territories in the near future the ability to get smart with software and electronic hardware has expanded exponentially.

Danish security OEM Pentalock believes that locking systems should be thought of as an integral part of the bike and should be built into the system and not considered as an aftermarket product.

Emil Norup, CEO, says: “The time has definitely come to consider theft prevention as part of a wider bike build. When looking at the car industry prior to the 90s, all cars used steering wheel locks, which was super inconvenient and not very secure, with the right tool you could remove it easily, and then you owned the car. Then in the 90s all cars started to use build in immobilizers, which started an anti-theft revolution with huge reductions in theft. Looking at the bike industry, you still lock your bike with a heavy inconvenient lock around the wheel, which can easily be cut open and removed. This innovation jump has not happened.”

UK company Leopard Tech believes that using software as a solution to rising numbers of bike thefts across Europe is a natural progression to counter rocketing number of thefts taking place in Europe. The Leopard Hardware Module features integrated alarm, sensors and both Bluetooth and cellular connections that can fit every bicycle both traditional and electric. The hardware module can be integrated either within the frame during manufacture, or as an after-market part such as base unit or bottle cage.

Theft protection aside, Leopard Tech provides cyclists with accident alerts which can detect a collision or fall and ask the rider if they are okay. If there is no response, then the device will notify the rider’s chosen contacts via text to check on the person. Having the hardware on the bike, as opposed to just an app also gives far better accuracy in terms of GPS location for route navigation and key riding stats.

Additionally, the brand is also working with some key bike insurance companies to bring smart bike insurance to the market. Manufacturers will be able to gain real world data on how cyclists are using their bike which can help develop the manufacturer’s understanding of the end user’s riding requirements, enhancing customer support through diagnosing problems in real time.

James Robertson, Sales and Marketing Director at Leopard Tech says: “Having a connected bike gives brands and retailers a whole new way to engage and support their customers. A better understanding of customer behaviour allows for a far more personalised approach to customer support and sales meaning that brand and retailers can have relevant touch points with their customers and offer then what they need, when they need it based on their riding habits. From a support perspective, a connected bike can identify problems and suggest the best solution, this could be diagnosing an issue in the bikes motor and relaying the information to the manufacturer for the appropriate fix, to using the integrated sensors to detect defects in frames or tyres and alerting the cyclist.”

The Pentalock bike system is a wirelessly actuated physical locking device and alarm software that can be integrated into any type of bike. The bicycle lock is mounted to the bike in the manufacturing process, which makes it impossible to remove it again once its installed. Pentalock’s system unlocks utilising a wireless key that is used to lock and open the bike. The key fob uses Bluetooth to register when the bike owner is not near the bike and automatically locks, preventing the bike from being stolen.

Emil Norup says: “In order to integrate our solution, manufacturers need only to change the diameter of the crank tube. Our electronic system and wiring can be made to fit different controller and motor solutions on the market, the only systems we are currently not compatible with are mid-motors. Therefore, we are focusing on eBike systems with front or rear-hub motors.

“In theory our technology can be integrated into mid-motors, but this requires us to partner up with the manufacturer. In the product pipeline for the future we are focusing on making our solution compatible without needing to be integrating into the motor unit.”

Not only can the Pentalock system be customised to fit any bike, the locking unit only weights around 405 grams, where a regular bottom bracket weighs 295 grams and a regular ring lock weighs 658 grams. Additionally, during the installation process, a backup battery is added that lasts for up to six months when removing the main battery on an e-Bike.

PentaLock is currently working with brands on integrating its system into its current and future line ups. The first two brands to launch early next year are Watt Fietsen in the Netherlands and Rawbike in Sweden, with several more partnerships planned for the EU and US market for 2022 and 2023.

When it comes to Leopard Tech’s plans for the future, the brand tells CyclingIndustry.News that innovation remains limitless but that there is also a purposeful end goal in mind. He adds: “From our side the next step is to work with partners to find ways to integrate a connected bike so that it benefits the cyclist. This can be in the form of smart bike insurance and links with local bike mechanics to better provision of bicycle parking facilities and cycle lanes. Ultimately, more people using their bikes is better for us all, physically, mentally, and environmentally so anything that can progress this can only be a good thing.”

With bike thefts continuing across the country and across Europe, brands such as Pentalock and Leopard Tech are continuing to develop software that enhance theft protection, to ensure that more people are choosing greener forms of travel.